John Anderson Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Neuroscientists and psychologists have gathered evidence that now lasts on average between 2 and 3 seconds. This is the 'now' you are aware of – the window within which your brain fuses what you are experiencing into a “psychological present”. Others have claimed it is a microsecond. Consciousness, the receiver and processor of quantums of information is selective in what it processes and delivers as here and now.

Listen to poem:

How Long Does Now Last

Does the clock tick over nows
as snap-shots of present passing?
Like an old movie made by flicking through images.
Scientists say now is not a timeless instant, 
but lasts 2 to 3 seconds.
Surely you can make it last longer than that?
Most of my time is future or past, but I live in the present
no matter how momentary or fleeting it be.
For now, I'll savor mindfully, 
each skerrick of time dished up
one at a time on flash cards.
Now what is here, after all?

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Gregory Richard Barden August 7, 2017 at 10:14 PM Enjoyed this muchly, John - well-said and divinely crafted!

John Anderson August 7, 2017 at 2:28 PM Hi Folks, Thanks for the comments. Cheers for now!

Mike Gentile August 7, 2017 at 2:26 PM HI John, It would be nice if now were a little longer, its good to make us think, enjoyed it.

Heidi Sands August 7, 2017 at 1:46 PM Great one John. Savor the moment :)

Ralph Sergi August 7, 2017 at 1:45 PM A great poem and very profound, John! As I age, Dreams create an alternate Now so I look forward to sleep. Does that sound provocative? John Anderson August 7, 2017 at 1:51 PM Begs the question about lucid dreams? Another story!